"Goldsmiths has a deep historical foundation of DMP in the UK and is playing an intellectual and practical leading role in the art therapeutic world."

I was working for street and working children of India for 11 years as a dance facilitator as well as a performer before joining the course. Through my work, I find dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) an effective vehicle to tackle psychological trauma of children. DMP has a dynamic combination of three study areas and requires a tremendous special skill. Goldsmiths has a deep historical foundation of DMP in the UK and is playing an intellectual and practical leading role in the art therapeutic world. My favourite place, I would say as a PG student, is the library. It has a great collection of books in my field and is open for 24 hours.

I feel my course is very intense emotionally, practically and theoretically. However, all my tutors who are forerunners of UK DMP have been very supportive from the day one. And my lovely peers are sharing this challenging moment together.

I was very delighted to be awarded the scholarship by Goldsmiths, not only because it financially helped me tremendously, but also it made me feel my work experience and its consequence of having chosen the course in Goldsmiths was recognised profoundly. I cannot say thank the university enough. The scholarship has realised my five-year long dream of coming to Goldsmiths, and it also motivates me to work on my new study much harder.

Ayako

MA Design Futures

"I found the course very inspiring and it broadened my mind not only about design, but also about the world as a whole."

Before I came to Goldsmiths, I was working in Japan and wondering about roles of 'designer' in societies. I wanted to know the other possibilities of the speciality from just making objects. Then, I decided to give myself a time to know and think about 'design' deeper, and that was the reason why I chose the multidisciplinary course MA Design Futures.

I found the course is very inspiring and it broadened my mind not only about design, but also about the world as a whole. It gave me opportunities to see my interests through various perspectives, such as philosophies and sciences. I think that is very unique for design study which is often only about practices in industries.

The experiences at Goldsmiths enabled me to engage myself with design and societies more, and I became more motivated about what I could do with my profession in the future. I would like to keep practising the ideas from the study, and the course gave me confidence to do so. I think that the study at Goldsmiths enriched my life in many ways.

I was previously a dance teacher and an opportunity arose to teach at a special needs school, which became the starting point of my interest in Dance Movement Psychotherapy. I havefound the DMP MA programme demanding as we are challenged to face ourselves in depth through the course tasks. This is sometimes hard, but the experience has allowed me to grow and mature.

This course at Goldsmiths provides me the time to think, focus and learn from many perspectives, benefitting from both from successes and mistakes. There is a wide range of academic support available and the course is unique in encouraging us to bring our own feelings, challenging us to think about meaning and exploring a psychodynamic framework through movement. A good friend recently told me, ‘You’ve really changed’ and I think it's true that this course has helped and encouraged me to be stronger than before.

"I really like the fact that the course puts an emphasis on sustainable fashion"

In Japan, where I'm from, I helped to run my family's Kimono brand, which was steeped in tradition. I liked the idea of doing something less traditional, which is why I was attracted to the MA in Fashion. I really like the fact that the course puts an emphasis on sustainable fashion as this is an idea I've grown up with; kimonos are incredibly sustainable because they're handed down through the generations. I'm hoping to make clothes from natural materials or investigate the ways we can make fashion that breaks down easily and doesn't end up in landfill. The course attracts an interesting mix of business and creatively minded people, hopefully we'll all be able to learn from each other!

Chiho

MA Sociocultural Linguistics

"Studying at Goldsmiths is not only about getting education, but also about having many new experiences."

I chose Goldsmiths because the course which I belong to is exactly what I wanted to study. I looked at many colleges in the University of London, but I realised that the course at Goldsmiths is more related to cultural term.

Studying at Goldsmiths is very enjoyable: there are a lot of international students, home students and European students. All these students sit in the same classes and study together. As an international student, I was really worried if I can keep up the course, but tutors help me when I have questions and also English teachers help us to understand deeply when we have problems. Studying at Goldsmiths is not only about getting education, but also about having many new experiences.

Keiko

International Foundation Certificate in Humanities and Social Sciences

"This course was essential, as it has improved my confidence in English and as a result I am thoroughly enjoying university life."

I had been struggling to get a high IELTS score and improve my academic English skills to enter university and study an undergraduate course. I came to study English combined with social sciences as a foundation student at Goldsmiths.

The course provided great classes covering grammar, reading, and intensive IELTS preparation. Moreover, the students take actual lectures with current university students and are offered feedback seminars to review them. This helped me to understand more about the subject and express my arguments in academic ways through discussions.

At the same time, this experience gave me the basic idea of university life. Tutors were really helpful and encouraged me to learn technical ways of writing at an academic level. Being at university, I have discovered that this course improved my grades significantly. This course was essential as it has improved my confidence in English and as a result I am thoroughly enjoying university life.

"All of us on the programme have supported each other with such authenticity and warmth since the course began."

Before starting the course at Goldsmiths, I graduated in BA in Humanities from Mie University in Japan and then I worked for Mitsukoshi GmbH Deutschland in Frankfurt for 9 months.

I chose the MA Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) course at Goldsmiths mainly because this area of study is better established in the UK than in my country. Secondly, the course guidelines had a clear and in-depth structure. Thirdly, I wanted to expand my perspectives by studying in London, where people from all over the world are gathered.

I find the course very intense and feel that I have been going through a very precious experience on behalf of all the humans in living in this world. I feel very lucky in this sense! All of us on the MA DMP programme have supported each other with such authenticity and warmth since the course began and we are getting increasingly close as time goes by. I would say this is one of the unique and significant features of the MA Dance Movement Psychotherapy programme at Goldsmiths.

Mizuka

MMus & MPhil/PhD in Music

"The Music department at Goldsmiths invites world-class musicians to regular concerts and lectures and produces unique musicians."

The Music Department at Goldsmiths is a very active platform for several styles of performances. The department invites world-class musicians to regular concerts and lectures at the College, so these are very exciting opportunities for students. Also it is a wonderful environment for the academic study of both classical music and pop music.

Musicological studying cultivates knowledge of their performances; I think this is why the College produces unique musicians.

Junko

MPhil/PhD Cultural Studies

"I chose Goldsmiths and Centre for Cultural Studies because of its excellent reputation, interdisciplinary approach, and also knowing that I would be working with the top scholars in the field."

PhD Project title: Intimations of PhotographyUndergraduate degree: BA Honours French, University College LondonPostgraduate degree: Maîtrise en lettres modernes, University of Paris IV - Sorbonne Previous job: Photographer (fashion editorial/album covers); Lecturer, School of Creative Media, City University of Hong KongCurrent Job: Lecturer in Photography, Department of History and Philosophy of Art, School of Arts, University of KentNationality: Japanese/ Taiwanese

I was working as professional photographer in Taiwan and although I had a successful career, there was a part of me which really missed academia. I was invited to teach as visiting artist at City University of Hong Kong. I had always wanted to do a PhD. However, like most people, it was a matter of financial costs and time, which had made it seem difficult and unrealistic after having finished my masters degree at the Sorbonne. I chose Goldsmiths and CCS because of its excellent reputation, interdisciplinary approach, and also knowing that I would be working with the top scholars in the field. My project could not have happened elsewhere.

The whole atmosphere of CCS was stimulating and exciting. My classmates came from different disciplines. Within the peer group, there was a wide range of projects; we shared ideas and problems- you get to know one another very closely. There was a real sense of camaraderie. I loved the fact that after the seminars, lectures and talks, the discussion often continued and eventually ended in the pub as the night went on!

There is the opportunity for students to organise conferences and workshops and to meet leading thinkers in their field - you can always discuss ideas with other staff who are very welcoming. There is an inspiring breadth of knowledge from staff members. Every year, students are asked to submit their written work to a summer panel. I found the experience amazing - although it was also terrifying! The annual summer panel was something to look forward to and it provided a wonderful opportunity for students at the end of the year to have three experts giving feedback; staff read your work so thoroughly and give such invaluable advice. It helps you to formulate your thoughts. This is very unique to CCS. I really appreciate the dedication of staff members who support and encourage students to pursue their individual projects.

You have to be very passionate about your research project even though it may be quite nebulous in the beginning. CCS enabled me to realise my project. I guess doing a PhD allows you to learn about yourself- and how far you can push yourself intellectually. Once you have done a PhD, anything is possible! You learn how to analyse various phenomena and discourse; you understand how your mind works. The writing process is fascinating; it is intensely cerebral as well as physical. The experience opens up new possibilities regarding how you understand your being in the world. I really miss those years, even though there are always worries (financial pressure, being an overseas student, producing work) but to have that support and a critical voice is a great luxury.

Interviewed by Lee Mackinnon

Yuki

MA in Photography & Urban Cultures

"I feel Goldsmiths, especially my department, is like a family."

The reason I chose Goldsmiths was because it has an excellent reputation for Sociology. I studied English Literature for my BA in Japan and I wanted to know more deeply the social facts behind literature for my further study. I am very excited and satisfied with my programme and hope it further opens up my eyes.

I have found Goldsmiths looks after students very well academically and individually. If I have any problems, staff take care of me well. As an international student, this is very important and gratifying. I feel Goldsmiths, especially my department, is like a family. In fact, I have already found this out during the process of application. I have no worries about my life at Goldsmiths.

Akemi

MMus in Ethnomusicology

"If I expressed the impression of Goldsmiths in one word, it would be freedom. Also, I liked the attitude of Goldsmiths that embraces both old and new."

The study of Ethnomusicology at Goldsmiths was really a rich experience for me. Inside of the university, there were classes, seminars, concerts, and so on, full of interesting ideas. And I loved the Goldsmiths library. It was like a treasure box that I could spend hours and hours in. In addition, I had the opportunity to meet people outside of the University as part of my research. I made a lot of interesting connections to people, and am still in contact with them.

In the Music Department they have classical music, contemporary music and world music, and seeing all music as a cultural phenomenon. I was impressed by it and it has changed my perception of music 180 degrees. I am more interested in music and culture than before, and now I am teaching the things that I learned at Goldsmiths in Japan.

If I expressed the impression of Goldsmiths in one word, it would be freedom. There was freedom to choose whatever I wanted to focus on within the structure of the course, and the teachers were all supportive. Also, I liked the attitude of Goldsmiths that embraces both old and new.

Chizuko

MA in Photography and Urban Cultures

"The diversity is so fascinating. You can really get a sense of 'global' in the UK!"

I'm learning a lot. I've met wonderful friends from all over the world, and the fantastic thing is they all have different cultural and academic backgrounds. This is amazing. This never happened when I was learning in Japan. This diversity is so fascinating. You can get a sense of 'global' in the UK. I now really feel that I'm one of citizens of this planet.

Another reason I feel happy and lucky to study in the UK is because British people are really supportive to students. I'm treated with respect and a sense of warm encouragement as a student. In the UK, education is not about right or wrong. There is no perfect answer as such, and what's important is the process of learning, discussing, arguing and exchanging ideas with other students, and I think this is good. Now I feel I can be more free.

Yuko

BA Fine Art

"There is so much inspiration in the course – students have a variety of backgrounds and ideas for their art practice and tutors are always there to accommodate those individuals."

If you're studying art, you hear Goldsmiths a lot. There are reasons to explain why so many celebrated artists in contemporary art have studied at Goldsmiths. I have completed my foundation course in Wimbledon School of Art (now Wimbledon College of Art). I chose Goldsmiths since I felt it was the best place to study Fine Art and my tutors in WSA supported my decision.

Fine Art study requires a lot of independent work and self-discipline so that I was very aware that a large institution like Goldsmiths would be very challenging for myself. I have found it a little difficult after my first year, yet I think this applies to anyone who has just survived the demanding coursework. What is most beneficial about Fine Art course in Goldsmiths is that all the media have been mixed within the course so that you can explore literally anything you want as your art practice progress. There is so much inspiration in the course – students have a variety of backgrounds and ideas towards their art and tutors are always there to accommodate those individuals.

In terms of the campus atmosphere, I might have a different view since I have been studying as well as working for a long time. In the beginning, I had a sense that it was a little difficult to fit in this large institutional place, but as time goes by, I started to feel more comfortable to be a part of Goldsmiths. There are so many events organized by the Students' Union, and you can join a society to share your interests with others. All the information for social events is everywhere - flyers, websites and Facebook, so it is totally up to the individual who is up for some fun.

In my opinion London is the most exciting city in the world. People often name New York or Tokyo as the most exciting city, but I prefer London to those cities. If you start to talk about safety, it's the same in any other big cities in the world – as long as you are being responsible and careful for your actions, there is nothing to worry about. What makes London so interesting is the presence of British history in the metropolitan environment. There is always something happening in the city and many events are free for the public. As a student, it is good to go out and have fun without spending a lot of money. I can assure you never get bored of living in London!

After I finish my course this autumn, I am planning to stay in London as long as I can. I don't think I carry on my art practice after my course. I have fully enjoyed my art practice for the last 3 years, and I think it's time to explore what is outside of the field. I am pretty sure if it not easy to support myself in this economic climate, but I would like to make the most of the time in London and gain various experiences that may lead me to somewhere else in the future.